Davenport, winner at the All England Club in 1999, will now face Karolina Sprem for a place in the semi-finals, but it was thought of what might have been which got to young Russian Zvonareva during the second set.

The 19-year-old 12th seed broke down in tears during a change of ends after former world number one Davenport had hauled herself back into the driving seat when looking like she would drop her first set of the 2004 championships.

It was the American who finished the match stronger, crashing down an ace to clinch her place in the last four after coming through a stern examination in one hour and 21 minutes.

Davenport admitted she had not noticed Zvonareva’s emotional outburst, but reflected: “That’s surprising, given that the scoreline was just back on my serve.

“I think she is a good player, she hits the ball well.

“Probably the only thing that is holding her back is maybe mentality, you know she does have a temper. I didn’t know she was so emotional. But she is still young.

“She is fast, hits the ball well and if she keeps improving, I think she’ll do well. But it seems likes she probably has to get over some hump.

“Who knows what’s going on with her, but it seems like a bizarre time to be upset.”

Davenport is taking nothing for granted despite now being the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw.

“I have had good and tough draws, but I still have to go out there and win,” said the American, who has so far shown no signs of the knee trouble which hampered her progress in this year’s French Open.

“That’s all that I am trying to worry about right now.”

She added: “Some tournaments I thought for sure I’m going to win, and I haven’t. Others I thought there’s no way and I’ve come through to win.

“So I don’t worry about that, just about playing well and so far through four matches, I’ve played very well here.”